Blue Soup

Bio:

.. Blue Soup's recent signing to international label A Major Sound and the impending release of their eagerly awaited second album is exciting news indeed. Big plans are afoot for the coming year - the album launch, festivals, tours and video releases to name but a few.

Their latest album was written over the past year or so, whilst gigging around the UK and Europe, with several of the songs, including two in French, already established as firm favourites in the set. Working with top Canadian producer Paul Milner, the album was recorded at Ambushed studios in London during an intensive two weeks in August. Paul's immense experience, having worked with names such as Keith Richards, Robert Palmer and Rush, not to mention Anne Murray and the Randy Waldman trio, was invaluable in capturing the Blue Soup sound. He's currently mixing the album in Canada and it is due for release in the next couple of months.

Blue Soup started life when songwriters Graham & Mike recruited Greek Jazz drummer Kostas with a view to creating a band with a uniquely new jazzy sound. The right trumpet player proved difficult to find, but finally with Toby standing in unprepared at a packed benefit gig and amazing all there with a startlingly virtuoso performance - the band's line-up was complete.

The band quickly established an excellent live reputation with their musicianship and their energetic and entertaining performances, gigging every few days in the capital. This soon earned them a headline slot at London's world-famous Jazz Cafe in Camden - shortly after which, the band's debut album "Occupied" was released on the Raison d'Etre International Music Lovers' Collective label.

This first album brought acclaim from fans and those in the Music Business alike. With praise for the style and wit of their songs from several Industry figures, Blue Soup received offers to place their music in film and TV. Building up some serious momentum and a loyal following, the band embarked on a busy schedule of national and international dates and festivals, appearing alongside Acid Jazz’s founder, BBC Radio 6’s Eddie Piller, selling out Canterbury International Festival, being reviewed as ‘one of the capital’s finest exports’ and performing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, the Twinz Arts Festival in Paris and North Devon Festival amongst many others.

Graham, Toby, Mike & Kostas continue to wow audiences with their unique Blue Soup sound - their songs, their musicianship, their spirit, energy and passion. Watch this space for news of the second album's release - it features special guests, top jazz guitarist Christos Chatzispyrou and Groove Armada's percussionist Patrick Dawes - it promises to be a truly epic release...

Blue Soup's debut album 'Occupied' is available from Amazon, iTunes & Napster amongst others...

Member Since:

March 10, 2006

Members:

Graham Silcock - Vocals & Guitars, Toby Nowell - Trumpet & Other Horns, Mike Seal - Double Bass & Fretless Bass, Kostas Bechlos - Drums - with Christos Chatzispyrou - Guitar, Patrick Dawes - Percussion

Influences:

Art Blakey, Clifford Brown, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Elvis Costello, Miles Davis, Gil Scott Heron, Hugh Masakela, Charles Mingus, Wes Montgomery, Evan Parker, Charlie Parker, Iggy Pop, Louis Prima, Django Reinhardt, John Scofield, Tom Waits, Cake, Soul Coughing, The Pixies, Iron Maiden, Husker Du, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band

Record Label:

A Major Sound